Keep an eye on Del Rosario

Reliever prospect Enerio Del Rosario has been one the more impressive arms in camp this spring. A sidearmed, sinker thrower — his pitches move…a lot and stay down. He could be an interesting call-up at some point if the Reds need late-inning help. You’ll want to keep an eye on his progress this season.

What’s interesting about Del Rosario is he nearly washed out as an overhand thrower. Class A Sarasota pitching coach Tom Brown got him to throw sidearmed and zing … it might have been a career salvaging fix.

“I hoped I could help him a little bit,” said Brown, who was moved up to Double-A Carolina for 2010. “He was just one of those guys that was an over-the-top four-seam fastball and threw 93 mph. He had a 9.00 ERA and that didn’t work real well. But he was such a great athlete. His ability to field his position, make quick decisions and do things almost like a shortstop. “[Then-GCL Reds skipper] Pat Kelly and I sat there and said you know what? Let’s give it a shot.”

Del Rosario reached Triple-A by the end of the season. In 50 relief appearances combined at three levels, he was 3-1 with a 1.68 ERA and 12 saves. This will be my story for later today…

Some notes from Dusty Baker’s office this morning:

*Baker is not opposed to the notion of carrying three catchers out of camp. But there’s plenty of stipulations needed for that to happen.

“It depends on the makeup of the club,” Baker said. “If you have three catchers, he needs to play more than one position. It depends on what we need – a right bat, switch, speed, utility. When putting a club together, you try not to have any weaknesses if you can help it. you try not to be too right-handed dominant or left-handed dominant. When you play certain clubs, they’re going to overmatch or outmatch you.”

The only extra catcher in camp that could play other positions would be Wilkin Castillo. He can play around the infield.

*To get more work for the players, the Reds are trying to schedule another ‘B’ game for March 14. They haven’t found a club, yet.

“We’re just trying to get a match,” Baker said. “That would be perfect for our pitching.”

*Here is the starting rotation plan for the next few days. Mike Lincoln has at least two more starts scheduled while fellow fifth spot candidate Matt Maloney is slated for his first.

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